A zookeeper was mauled to death by a lion while taking people to see him feed it after his wildlife park had closed, according to officials.
Babaji Daule, a 35-year-old trained lion handler, was bitten in the neck Saturday after agreeing to take guests into the enclosure even though they arrived after hours at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Wildlife Park in Nigeria, the park’s management told the Daily Post Nigeria.
“The zookeeper, apparently feeling comfortable with the animal, left the safety protection gate open and proceeded to feed the animal,” the management said.
“He was mauled by the animal and died on the spot.”
The lion was shot dead “to prevent further mutilation of the body,” the management said.
“It is important to state that this activity fell completely outside the standard feeding routine of the park,” the wildlife park stressed in its statement.
It was not immediately clear if Daule had permission to take the guests into the closure when it was supposed to be closed.
Either way, he “carelessly neglected to secure the locks and barricade the lion’s enclosure before approaching the cage to feed the animal,” police spokesperson Omolola Odutola said in a statement.
“This negligence allowed the lion to escape and attack the handler, resulting in fatal injuries to the handler’s neck and eventual death,” Odutola said.
“The wild lion was shot to release its grip on the handler.
Management of the wildlife park expressed condolences to the deceased’s family, and reassured the public of its commitment to ensuring the safety of its employees, visitors, and the animals themselves, the Daily Post Nigeria reported.